Which Battery are you using
 

Want to put in a new battery but with so many choices I figured I would ask here. I believe it's a size 75. But Optima, Red or Yellow, Interstate, Diehard, Autozone special, Odyssey. I know there is a little difference as in gel and lead with water. But really is there a difference? It's a weekend truck not my daily drive but I could.

1980 GMC C3500 Camper Special

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I'm using optima red top for my c10 and daily.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

AGM battery here . I like the fact that the AGM will not boil out acid when a cell goes bad like regular wet cell will . Keeps the corrosion down from a battery as well. Also never have to monitor the water level .

I am using a duracell AGM 78 in my 82 from sams club . Had the best price and also had a better warranty than most .

Most likely you could use the 78 series as well . More cranking amps .

Also keep it charged . AGM dont like to be discharge to low . Most auto battery's don't like it anyway , AGM seems not to like it more .

With all that said its still hard to beat a wet cell for forgiveness and performance as well as price .

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I would get a 78 series battery from whoever has a decent warranty. I got screwed by an Interstate dealer once so they are off my list now. Half my vehicles have Walmart batteries that seem to last a long time.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

X2 here

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I am using an Exide AGM battery. I love it.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

X3. Have had no problems in over 2 years.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

Optima batteries are crap now, especially for the price.

I started buying Red Tops in 1998. Had a Jeep that started hard, and I dropped $$$ to get that first Red Top. It lasted 7 hard years on that Jeep. Winch, KC lights, and a carb with a sticky float that meant I had to crank and crank on it to get it started.

So I was an Optima fanboy. Put them on three Jeeps, a 4runner, two tractors, and two pickups.

Then Optima sold out to Johnson Controls, who promptly moved production to Mexico.

The last two Red Tops I bought both died in under a year. Yes, they were replaced under warranty, but when I pay that much for a battery, I shouldn't have to replace a $200 battery in under a year, much less two batteries. I still have a couple of Red Tops in service, but they don't hold charges for extended periods like the old ones did. I have to keep these in a Tender to keep them up. The Red Tops of old could sit on a Jeep for over a year and would still crank it up without issue.

Yes, some people have had good luck with the Mexican optimas, but some people have good luck with used batteries from Autozone too. Doesnt' mean I'm willing to shell out $200 for a "maybe" good battery.

Jeep boards have been voicing displeasure with Optima for the same reason. They look the same as the old good Optimas, but they aren't the same.

Odyssey is the best you can buy now, but they are pricey...real pricey.

I've started using Deka. Made in the US, and available locally for me. Have had good luck with them thus far. Their Intimidator is an AGM and that's what I prefer for the reasons homemade87 stated.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

Duracell are, I believe, made by East Penn/ Deka. I just bought a set of Duracell golf cart batteries and they were East Penn. Good brand.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I feel the same way about Mexican Optimas. I had owned several of the USA ones and was always happy with them. Then I bought a couple of the Mexican ones and won't ever buy another. Poor quality and just don't seem to last in the AZ heat. I have a Durcell AGM in my Hand the exide AGM in my 77 crew. They last way better than the new Optimas!

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I bought an AGM battery from Advance a year ago. Amazing battery so far.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

we toss more red top optimas 2:1 over everything else combined :rolleyes:

field guys like them cuz they fit most apps and ez handling..

suburban I bought recently came with a red top dated 12/15 dead as a door nail..

8hrs on an optima charger yielded 96cca / 13%, bad battery..

I ran an odyssey steel case in my class 7 truck that took full advantage of the performance characteristics..

we use odyssey pc2150 batteries at work for special apps where they utilize the high capacity..

that said, I buy good quality wet cell batteries with the best warranty I can find for my personal cars / trucks..

you really have to be working a battery hard to take advantage of 2x to 3x initial cost, and still have to treat it right..

the red top I recently replaced with an interstate gp24 from costco for $89 comes with 42 free replacement warranty..

do your homework and don't get sucked into flashy advertising ;)

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I've had good luck with WalMart MAXX batteries, currently running a MAXX 78S battery in my 83 ;)

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

Same here but I get mine from Advanced Auto on the discount table they usually go for $65-$75 out of sale date....but i have never any problem with them yellow top in my 86 Regal & red top in my 87 & 98 GMC trucks.........

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I had 2 of the old red tops, they were excellent for many years. Had to replaced one of them under warranty and that one was crap; replaced that one = CRAP also!! The other one went with car when I sold it. I buy AutoZone Duralast Gold batteries now. They are rated very good in Consumer Reports and by ME! I had one sitting around for a few months on my bench, still had 12 volts when I "checked on it".

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I'm using a 78X Exide brand battery from Homedepot.
40 month free replacement warranty. no complaints so far.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I have recently started to get 25.00 batteries from the junkyard. I am not paying 100.00 for these crappy batteries that are out now a days. I also have a battery disconnect on battery cable on those days truck might be sitting for a week or two. You never know what parasitic electric gremlins might be lurking in the wires and draining the battery.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

Maybe I've just had good luck, but I don't believe the Optima batteries are "junk", they're just not as good as they used to be. But the price is still the same.

I like the Optima batteries because I like the dual posts (top posts and side posts), it's much easier to hook up large accessories like a winch, or camper, or things of that nature. I also like the 34/78 because the posts are moved inwards towards the center of the battery. Most places list the 75/25 as the proper replacement for our vehicles, but the positive post is so close to the core support I'm always afraid of arcing when I jump start.

(most of this is probably irrelevant if you're still using the stock-style side posts and no accessories)

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

I feel the same way about Optima.

I have since gone to Deka batteries.

Part # 9A78DT.. It specs out lower than tested. I have about 4 of these and they all have over 1000CCA! Great battery.

Re: Which Battery are you using
 

interstate batteries have always impressed me. ive seen them last 8 years more then a few times.

i currently have dual ac delco batteries in my 1986 and both are 6 years old